Entry requirements

Applicants who meet the formal entry requirements and have a baccalaureate (Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (FVB) or, Specialised Baccalaureate (FSB) or a Baccalaureate) can register for the aptitude test.

Candidates with a professional diploma but no FVB, or holders of a degree from a College of Higher Education and Training, which is not mentioned on the list above, do not meet the school's formal admission requirements. They will first have to complete a Baccalaureate or a FVB (for more information go to the vocational college in your area or a careers advisory service). The Federal Act on Universities of Applied Sciences also stipulates that students must complete a year of practical work experience in their future profession before they can apply for admission to a degree programme. For the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy, this means that students have to attend additional modules A and C. For more detailed information, see the information sheet “Information on additional modules in BSc Physiotherapy.

It is important to keep in mind that the additional module A must be completed not more than 5 years prior to the time of the start of your studies. If this time is exceeded, the validity of the additional module expires and only the programme director can decide on exceptions to this rule. Federal diplomas do not expire.

Knowledge of English

Applicants need to have a good knowledge of English at level B2-C1 according to the European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which corresponds to a very good Cambridge First Certificate in English (grade A) or a good Certificate in Advanced English (grade C).

Students are expected to read English academic texts (abstracts, reports, studies) and follow the lessons in English.

Students who fail to meet the above basic language requirements are strongly recommended to attend a language course prior to the start or during the course.

Mandatory vaccinations

In preparing for a career in the health professions, follow these general rules. Healthcare professionals in Switzerland are vaccinated against certain diseases (if natural immunity does not already exist).

Certain vaccinations are mandatory for being fully admitted to the degree programme in Physiotherapy at the School of Health Professions at ZHAW. Students who are not vaccinated may not be guaranteed a degree, since clinical placement providers only accept students with the recommended protective vaccinations.

«The balance between practical work and theoretical knowledge transfer makes the whole study programme very interesting and varied. In this way, the programme fully prepares me for everyday professional life and helps me achieve my goals.»

Christopher Riesen, BSc student in Physiotherapy

Admission procedures

The bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy has only 126 study places available each year. All potential students have to undergo a fee-based aptitude test, which consists of three parts and is used in the final admission decision-making process.

Aptitude test and interview

The evaluation of the formal admission requirements by the Academic Office is followed by a fee-based aptitude test that consists of the following two stages:

written part: cognition test based on the German Aptitude Test for Medical Students (TMS), but its content is adapted to studies in physiotherapy; text comprehension and interpretation of graphs and tables are tested.

practical part: participation in a practical test followed by a one-to-one interview

The Academic Office decides on the final approval of candidates based on the results obtained in the aptitude test. If you fail to achieve the minimum score in the aptitude test, you get one more chance to try again.

How to enrol

After having passed the aptitude test, you will receive the documents for enrolment by post from the Programme Secretariat at ZHAW.

«In the degree programme in Physiotherapy I acquire a lot of medical knowledge that I can expand during my clinical placement in close contact with patients. This is the perfect blend in training for my dream profession.»

Anja Ernst, BSc student in Physiotherapy

Course fees / Expenses / Compensation

Description

Frequency

Cost

Registration fee for admission process

once

CHF 100.–

Enrolment fee for Bachelor's and Master's programmes [1]

once

CHF 100.–

Tuition fees for Bachelor's and Master's programmes [2]

per semester

CHF 720.–

Fixed charge for students on leave of absence [3]

per semester

CHF 300.–

Additional tuition fees for students who are not Swiss residents [4]

per semester

CHF 500.–

Membership of the Academic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ)

per semester

CHF 30.–

Membership of the ZHAW Students Association (VSZHAW)

per semester

CHF 12.–

Fees for guest auditors (depending on the number of courses attended)

per semester

CHF 100.– to 600.–

[1] Applicants are exempt from paying the registration fee for the admissions process if they pass the admissions assessment/test and enrol for the next available programme start date.[2] According to §4 of the regulations on tuition fees[3] According to § 25, paragraph 5 of the general examination regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes at the ZHAW, students on leave of absence are exempt from paying tuition fees. According to the regulations on fees and contributions (in German), they pay a fixed charge per semester of CHF 300 to cover their e-mail account, campus card, use of the University Library and general administration costs. This fixed charge also applies to students on the Bachelor’s programmes at the School of Health Professions who attend the additional module C and to students who do delay the completion of their programme (e.g. by postponing submission of their thesis).[4] Additional tuition fee paid by all students who come to Switzerland for the purposes of studying and who are not officially resident in Switzerland at the start of their programme. This applies only to new students with effect from the autumn semester 2012. Fact Sheet for Applicants from Abroad

Additional costs

Item

Recurrence

Fees

Aptitude test (part 1 CHF 300.-, part 2 CHF 300.-)

one-off expense

CHF 600.-

Flat rate for lecture notes

each semester

CHF 35.-

Registration of documents with the Swiss Red Cross one-off expense

one-off expense

CHF 130.-

Salary clinical placements

Over the entire study (4 years) approximately CHF 25,000.-

Notebook computer

All students are required to purchase their own laptop or notebook computer at their own expense. The students' association at ZHAW (VSZHAW) runs Techshop, which offers students notebooks and other items at discounted rates.

«At ZHAW, I am particularly impressed by the right balance between evidence-based knowledge transfer and direct networking with practice.»

Samuel Karrer, BSc student in Physiotherapy

Registration

To enrol in the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy, you need to submit the completed registration form (available online as of mid-September) together with all mandatory attachments to the Programme Secretariat in Physiotherapy. Receipt of registration will be confirmed in writing.

The invitation to the first part of the aptitude test will be sent out to all candidates after the registration deadline. Candidates will receive a written invitation to the second part of the test after successful completion of the first part of the aptitude test.

All mandatory registration documents must be submitted to the Programme Secretary by the end of July. Exception is made only for regard to employer's references from practical work experience (additional module A). They must be submitted to the Programme Secretariat in Physiotherapy by the end of August before the beginning of the course.

Additional information

Studying in Switzerland

Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.